Dump bailer



July 28, "1959 w. E. BARNES DUMP BAILER Filed May 10, 1956 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

WILLIAM E. BARNES ATTORNEY July 28, 1959 w. E. BARNES I 2,396,723

DUMP BAILER v 1 Filed May 10, 1956 v2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n 3'7 fee 59 v IP41 67 H 67 '1 I. u), 5k 59 Lg G v S ,es I .2 I 64 53 v Fig. 5 I 9"" INVEN TOR. WILLIAM E. BARNES DUMP BAILER William E. Barnes, Beaumont,Tex., assignor to Sun gm Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation ofNew ersey Application May 10, 1956, Serial No. 583,967

11 Claims. (Cl. 166-166) This invention relates, generally, to dumpbailer-s used in treating oil wells, and specifically to the operatingmechanisms for suchdevices.

The control of oil well tubing corrosion is a typical use for the typeof dump bailer disclosed here. The tubing, which extends downwardly fromthe earths surface to the working depth, is generally subject tocorrosive conditions which may cause varying degrees of corrosionthroughout its length. These active areas may occur at any elevation inthe tubing string. Further, the treatment may be needed in either gas oroil wells requiring the dump bailer to be operable under either gas orliquid surrounding conditions.

Various forms of dump bailers are known which have open tops. While thisconstruction permits the bailer to be filled readily with the welltreating agent, it limits its usefulness to gas filled wells, asotherwise liquid in the well tubing may flush out the treating agentbefore the bailer has reached the zone at which it is desired to releasethe material. Other forms of bailers have been proposed which haveclosed tops, but these generally have been disadvantageous in requiringa disassembly of certain parts to permit refilling and then reassemblybefore the bailer is introduced again into a well.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dump bailer for use ineither gas or oil wells and which will control the release of treatingliquids in such wells accurately and completely.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dump bailer whichwill release the well treating contents at selected elevations in thetubing string.

A further object is to provide a dump bailer for use in tubing stringsin which the operating mechanism will be triggered to a release positionby operation of the suspension line.

Yet another object is to provide a dump bailer operating mechanism foruse in collared tubing strings in which the trigger once operated willbe withdrawn from operating position and not interfere with the furthermovement of the bailer in the tubing string.

Yet a furtherobject of this invention is to provide a dump bailer foroperation in liquid filled holes which is retrievable and refillable forfurther use with ease and accuracy.

' suspended from a wire line, and also shows a device for filling thesame;

Figure 2 is an elevational view in section, of the position of theoperating mechanism prior to operation;

Figure 3 is an elevational view, in section, of the relative positionsof the elements releasing the bailer contents;

nited States Patent 2,896,723 Patented July 28, 1959 Figure 4 is anelevational view, in section, of an alternate form of the device;

Figure 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of an operatingelement of the alternate form, rotated a quarter turn from the positionshown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is the device in Figure 4 showing the position of the elementsreleasing the bailer contents.

In Figure l, the bailer body 10 forming chamber 11 is shown with thewire-line connector 12 threadedly engaging it as a top closure. The wireline 14 extends through the top to anchor there as by a lead spud 116,or knot arrangement, and radially extending apertures 18 vent the bailerpermitting pressure balance in chamber 11.

The bottom of the bailer body 10 is closed by the housing 20 adapted toenclose the bailer dumping mechanism and to connect with the bailer bodychamber. This housing 20 forms a cylindrical chamber having a top plug23 and a bottom plug 25. Plug 23, threaded to join the bailer body anddump mechanism housing together, is drilled to form a valve seat 22 fora tubular valve member 24 extending through it. This is generallydesignated, inclusive of the above-described plug 23, by the numeral 28and will be referred to as the bailer dump bottom. As such it will bedistinguished from the bailer 10 and the wire line connector 12.

Tubular valve member 24 extends through the housing of the bailer dumpbottom 28 passing through the top and bottom plugs 23 and throughapertures 30 and 32. The end of this valve member 24 which operates inthe plug 23 is provided with both internal and external sealing means toclose the bailer during periods of non-operation. As shown, the 0 ring34 engages the valve seat aperture 22 throughout its length providingthe necessary sealing arrangement externally of the valve. Internally ofthe valve member 24, pressure responsive means closes the tubularpassageway through the valve, releasably operable for filling the baileras later described. A simple construction for such a means would be asshown, comprising a ball 38 acting as a seal on seat 40, held closed bya spring element 42. An expanding ring 43 of sufiicient thickness forspring 42 to lodge against is inserted in a shallow groove in the tube.Other similar and well known devices such as check valves and likemechanisms will be known to those versed in the art and may be used withequal satisfaction.

Adjacent an aperture 44 in the wall of the housing 20, provision is madeto position a trigger 46 and to operably connect it with the tubularvalve member 24 for bailer opening operation. Trigger .46, in thisinitially disclosed embodiment, has a straight, finger like extension 48adapted to extend through the aperture 44 in an upward direction makingan angle with the side wall of the tubing T insuring engagement with atubing collar when moved upwardly (Fig. 2). The trigger 46 is secured tothe tubular valve member by slotting the base 50 to embrace the tubularvalve rod 52. A collar 54 secured by set screw 56 supports the trigger46 in operating position. A resilient member such as spring 58, held inproper compression by a second collar 60 secured by set screw 62,operably holds the base 50 of the trigger against the supporting collar54. Adjustment of collar 69 to increase or decrease the compressiveforce in spring 58 will regulate the force with which trigger 46 is heldagainst collar 54 and consequently the firmness with which it isextended against the well tubing.

A stop pin 64, positioned in the inner wall of housing 20, releasablysupports the tubular valve member 24 by abutting against collar 54. Asshown in the drawing, collar 54 is shaped to present a nose 66 extendinginto operating engagement with stop pin 64.

Below the trigger supporting collar 54, the tubular 'valve rod 52extends through aperture 32 in bottom plug 25, the aperture having adiameter substantially larger than that of valve rod 52, and isterminated by an internally threaded fitting 68 removably connected atthe bottom. This fitting 68 where connected prevents the tubular 'valvemember 24 from being pushed upwardly in the housing 20 opposite to thedirection of operating movement. Further it provides an internalthreaded portion 70 adapted to receive fluid transmitting means to fillthe bailer, as

indicated in Figure l. V a

V In Figure 1, a hose 71 with connection 72 is removably connected, asby threads, to fitting 68 fastened on the tubular valve member. Fluidfrom a source 74 is forced into the bailer through the tubular valvemember 24 by operation of a pump 76 as by lever 78. This permits fillingthe bailer with measured quantities of liquid for treating the well andpermits the filling operation to be accomplished without dismantling thebailer in any way.

After being filled with the charge of liquid for treating the well at aselected depth, the hose connection 72 is disconnected. The device ischecked by observation for leaks and the relative positions of the valveand casing to be sure that the tubular valve member 24 is properlyseated against ring 34 in seat 22 to keep the bailer contents in placeuntil discharged and that the valve is also sealed internally. As thedevice is lowered down the well, the trigger extension 48 is urged intocontact with the tubing wall by spring 58, and it engages the tubing Tand collar connections 45 as the bailer descends. The valve member ismaintained in closed position by the bearing of collar 54 on stop pin64.

Before describing the operation of the combination of elements inemptying the bailer at the desired depth in the well tubing, thealternate form of device illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, inclusive, willbe described. This is desirable here, because this second form issimilar in many respects to the device already described. Additionally,the operation of the moving parts to dump the bailer closely followsthat of the first described form, although this second form involvescertain modifications which improve the action of the device. Also thesecond form comprises a different arrangement for conveniently fillingthe device. Where the elements of this alternate form are structurallyand operably like those disclosed above for the previously describedembodiment, the numbers originally used will be retained. Where they aredifierent in either structure or operation, a new number will beassigned.

Referring to Figure 4, the bailer dump bottom designated generally bythe number 28 in this alternate form, follows, closely, theconfiguration of the device previously described. Plug 23 is externallythreaded to engage chamber 11 of bailer and housing 20. It is drilled,concentrically, to form a longitudinally extending hole 22 through plug23 connecting chamber 11 with housing 20. This drilled hole 22 providesa valve seat for valve head 27 which extends into it, and which, withthe help of 0 ring 34, sealably engages the seat 'when in the closedposition.

The valve head 27 is formed differently from that portion of thepreviously described device serving the same purpose and is, therefore,numbered differently. Positioned on the valve head below the operatingportion which engages the valve seat 22, a collar 61, fastened by setscrew 63, secures a number of springs or resilient means 59 which, inturn, cooperate with the triggers 47 47 by pressing against pins 67 setin the triggers. These triggers 47-47 shown as two in number andarranged to operate in diametn'c position, are pivotally connected tovalve rod 53 as by pin 49. Pin 49 is positioned in relation to both thetriggers 4747, and the valve rod 53, to permit proper trigger extensioninto operating contact with the tubing and tubing collars, and alsodesigned to allow proper withdrawal from contact (after operation) asshown in Figure 6.

In this instance the valve rod 53 is of solid construction tom aperture.

dilfering from tubular rod 52 of the earlier device, and is rectangularin cross-section, except'for the valve head portion 27 which iscylindrical, this being evident by a comparison of Figures 4 and 5.Sufficiently spaced below the lower ends of the triggers 4747, collar 54is fixed in position on valve rod 53 as by set screw 56. An upperextension or nose 66 of this collar 54 is positioned to engage pin 64 inreleasable detention operable by the triggers as indicated in describingthe first form, and to be later described in the operation of bothforms.

Here too, the slot 33 in the bottom plug 25 is shaped in section toloosely receive valve rod 53 and allow sufiicient lateral motion tosatisfactorily operate the valve mechanism. By this free lateralmovement, the enlarged portion or nose 66 of collar 54 is permitted tobe urged away from and over pin 64 to release the valve head 27 fromvalve seat 22, thereby releasing the dumping elements of the bailer todump its contents.

In order to retain the ease of filling disclosed in the first form ofdump mechanism, a like pressure responsive valve mechanism is fittedinto the bottom of the bailer chamber 11 adjacent the plug 23 whichhouses the valve head 27. Figures 4 and 6 illustrate a preferred form ofpressure responsive filling means which is readily connected to the pumpstructure 76 shown in Figure 1. A filling tube 80 is insertedsubstantially diametrically of the chamber 11 adjacent plug 23. Threadedportion 82 is designed to receive hose connection72 in the fillingoperation. A pressure responsive valve element similar to that insertedin the tubular valve element in Figure 2 normally seals the tubularelement 80 against leakage from chamber 11. One form of such elementincludes a ball 37 designed'to fit tightly against seat 41, urged intothat position by a spring 42'. A set screw 84 which traverses a threadedportion of tube 80 from the end opposite that fashioned as connector forhose 71 is adapted to properly compress spring 42. Radially disposedholes 86 on the valve side of seat 41 transmit the treating liquid bothto and from chamber 11 meeting the operating requirements of the device.

The description of operation is now resumed, being pertinent to bothforms of the device as illustrated and described. On reaching therequired depth, the bailer is lifted until the trigger arrangement ofeither form engages the next collar in the tubing as indicated inFigures 2 and 4. Further upward movement of the bailer causes thetrigger means to move the valve assembly downwardly. As the lowerportion of the valve member fits loosely in the bottom plug, the triggerurged movement causes the valve rod to move slightly off center withinthe bottom aperture 32 or 33 and thereby allows collar 54 to slide overstop pin 64. This downward movement, now free of the resistance of pin64, continues, releasing the valve from the sealing position. in seat 22and urging the triggers 4747, or 48 for the first form, to move into thehousing 20 as it abuts the lower rim of the side wall aperture as shownin Figures 3 and 6. g

The fluid contents of the bailer are then discharged downwardly throughthe valve seat 22 into housing 20. The void made by the moving fluid inthe bailer chamber is filled by well fluids entering the bailer chamberthrough the. apertures 18 in the wire-line connector, facilitating flow.As the trigger arrangement is retracted due to the downward movement ofcollar 54, the baileris free to be lifted or further lowered, while thevalve remains open so that the fluid contents will discharge through theside Wall apertures 44 in the housing 20 and through the bot- As thecollar 54 is displaced over stop pin 64 the valve will remain open untilthe valve is forced into the closed position prior toreloading after itis withdrawn from the tubing string.

I claim:

1. A bailer dump bottom for use in well tubing connected by collarscomprising a housing, means for connecting said housing with bailer, avalve seat in the connecting means, a valve head cooperatively engagingsaid valve seat, a valve rod positioning said valve head in the valveseat and extending from the valve head longitudinally through saidhousing, trigger means operably mounted on said valve rod extendingthrough the housing to operatively contact the tubing collars and meansmounted on the valve rod and extending into frictional engagement withsaid housing to releasably hold the valve head in the seat untilwithdrawn by operation of the trigger means.

2. The bailer dump bottom of claim 1 further characterized by the valvehead and valve rod being integrated to form a single tubular member witha pressure responsive valve means inside the tubular member andconnecting means on the end opposite the valve head adapted to receivefluid transmitting means for loading the bailer.

3. The bailer dump bottom of claim 1 further characterized by the meanscooperating with the valve rod and the housing including a collarfastened to said rod and a pin mounted in the housing wall incooperating relation with the collar positioned to keep the valve headin the valve seat until the collar is urged to slideably pass the pin byoperation of the trigger means.

4. A bailer dump bottom for use in collar-connected well tubingcomprising an elongated housing apertured at top and bottom, means toconnect the top of said housing to the bottom of a bailer, a valve headadapted to engage the top aperture in releasably sealing engagement, avalve rod connected to the valve head and extending longitudinally ofthe housing passing with loose fitting engagement through the bottomaperture thereof, a collar on the valve rod, a pin in the wall of thehousing cooperating with said collar to keep the valve head in sealingengagement in the top aperture until withdrawn, and trigger meansoperably mounted on the valve rod and extending through the housing toengage a collar of the well tubing thereby urging the valve rod otrcenter in the loosely fitting bottom aperture and allowing the collar onthe valve rod to pass the pin withdrawing the valve from its seat.

5. The bailer dump bottom of claim 1 further characterized by saidtrigger means including engaging members extending through apertures inthe housing, said members pivotally connected to the valve meanspermitting lateral movement relative tothe housing, and resilient meansurging said engaging members outwardly of the housing into contact withthe well tubing.

6. A bailer dump bottom for use in collar-connected well tubingcomprising an elongated housing apertured at top and bottom, means toconnect said housing with a bailer adjacent the top aperture, alongitudinally movable tubular member adapted to pass fluidstherethrough positioned to slideably engage the top and bottom aperturesin the housing, pressure responsive valve means internally sealing thetubular member, seal means externally positioned on the tubular memberto engage the top aperture of the housing in sealing relation, a collaron the tubular member in the housing, means in the wall of the housingcooperating with the collar of the tubular member to releasably positionsaid member in the sealing position with the top aperture, a triggercooperating with the collar on the tubular member and projecting througha slot in the housing to operably engage the connected tubing, and meanson the bottom of the tubular member to receive fluids for passagetherethrough.

7. A dump bailer for use in well tubing comprising a tubular bodyadapted for wire line support, a valve seat in said body forming withthe body a liquid supply' chamber and a dumping mechanism chamber, anapertured plug closing the end of the dumping mechanism chamber oppositethe valve seat, a tubular valve stem extending through the dumpingmechanism chamber in sliding engagement with the valve seat and saidapertured plug, external sealing means and internal pressure-openingsealing means for the tubular valve stem closing the liquidsupplychamber at the valve seat, trigger means projecting fiom thetubular valve stem and extending through an aperture in the wall of thedumping mechanism chamber to operably engage the tubing, restrainingmeach holding the tubular valve stem in sealing engagement with thevalve seat until released by the trigger means, and means at the bottomof the tubular valve stem adapted to receive liquid for transmissiontherethrough to the supply chamber.

8. A dump bailer for use in collar-connected well tubing comprising anelongate body divided into a liquid supply chamber above a dumpingmechanism chamber, a wire line connector secured to the top of saidliquid supply chamber having a venting aperture therein in communicationwith the liquid supply chamber; the dumping mechanism chamberconcentrically apertured for internal connection with the liquid supplychamber and being also concentrically apertured at the bottom thereof, atubular member extending through these apertures in the dumpingmechanism chamber being longitudinally slideable relative thereto,contact sealing means mounted externally of the tubular member inposition to sealably engage the aperture connection between the liquidsupply chamber and the dumping mechanism chamber, an internalpressure-opening sealing means in the tubular member controlling thepassage of liquid therethrough, a collar member connected to the tubularmember in position to engage a pin retainer in the wall of the dumpingmechanism chamber, trigger means operably mounted on the tubular memberadjacent the collar extending through an aperture in the wall of thedumping mechanism chamber to operably engage the collared tubing torelease the collar from the pin retainer for operation, and means on thebottom of the tubular member to receive fluids for transmission to theliquid supply chamber.

9. A dump bailer for use in well tubing comprising a tubular bodydivided into a liquid supply chamber above a dumping mechanism chamber,a wire line connector secured to the top of said liquid supply chamberhaving a venting aperture therein opening that chamber to receiveexternal pressures; the dumping mechanism chamber having an aperture inthe top connecting with the liquid supply chamber and also apertured atthe bottom thereof, a valve head adapted to engage the top aperture inthe dumping mechanism chamber in releasable sealing relation, 21 valverod connected to the valve head and extending through the dumpingmechanism chamber to slideably engage the bottom aperture in loosecontact, a pin extending from the inner wall of the dumping mechanismchamber, a latching member connected to the valve rod extending intofrictional engagement with the pin and longitudinally positioned on therod normally to hold the valve head in releasable sealing position withthe top aperture, a pair of trigger members pivotally mounted on thevalve rod apart from the latching member, and springs pressing thepivotal trigger members through apertures in the dumping mechanismchamber to operably engage the well tubing.

10. A dump bailer for use in well tubing comprising a tubular bodydivided into a liquid supply chamber and a dumping mechanism chamber, aWire line connector secured to the top of said liquid supply chamberhaving a venting aperture therein opening that chamber to receiveexternal pressures; a filling tube mounted to extend through said bodyinto the liquid supply chamber being adapted to receive fluidtherethrough for transmission to said liquid supply chamber, andpressure responsive valve means in said tube; the dumping mechanismchamber being apertured at the top thereof for inner connection withsaid liquid supply chamber and also being apertured at the bottomthereof, a valve head adapted to releasably engage the top aperture insealing engagement, a valve rod connected to the valve head andextending through the dumping mechanism chamber to slideably engage thelower aperture in loose contact, a pin extending from the inner wall ofthe'dumping mechanism chamber, a latching member connected to the valverod extending into frictional engagement with the pin and longitudinallypositioned on the rod to normally hold the valve head insealing positionin the top aperture, a pair of trigger members pivotally mounted on thevalve rod apart from the latching member, and springs pressing thepivotal trigger members through apertures in the dumping mechanismchamber to operably engage the well tub- 11. A dump bailer for use incollar-connected well tubing comprising an elongate body divided into aliquid supply chamber above a dumping mechanism chamber, awire lineconnector secured to the top of said liquid supply chamber having aventing aperture therein in communication with the liquid supplychamber; the dumping mechanism chamber having means for connecting thedumping mechanism chamber with the liquid supply chamber and saiddumping mechanism chamber being concentrically apertured at the top andbottom thereof, valve means cooperatively engaging the top aperture in 8a the dumping mechanism chamber and extending longitudinally throughthedumping mechanism chamber into sliding contact With the bottom aperture,trigger means operably mounted "on'said valve means and extendingthrough apertures in the dumping amechanism chamber into operativecontact With the well tubing, and a collar mounted on the extended valvemeans adapted to contact the interior of the dumping mechanism chamberin frictional engagement releasably holding the valve. means in sealingengagement with the top aperture of the dumping mechanism chamber untilreleased by operation of the trigger means in contact with a collar inthe Well tubing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

